West Mountain PG

A pilot flying low in thermal conditions suffered a series of events that resulted in a hurt back and leg. He was evacuated via helicopter. Avoid flying low over rough terrain in strong thermal conditions.

North Side Stall Spin Mid - Air 6/20/12 PG

An experienced pilot spun and stalled his glider trying to avoid a tandem glider. In the process, he hit the tandem though the tandem was unaffected. He stalled and spun into the steep, sandy, side hill of the lower part of the north side and had a slight concussion but was otherwise un-injured.

N. Side Launch Bush Landing HG

Avid local PG and HG pilot launched the North Side, turned right and encountered sink while trying to turn away from the first spine he was to overfly. The hang glider did not respond to his efforts and he landed in a bush. No injury and no harm to the glider.

North Side Reserve Non - Injury

A new P2 on launched in advanced conditons, benched up and then allowed a lazy turn over the top of the hill. Recognizing the problem, he pointed into the wind, pushed speed bar and then took a large frontal deflation. He was pointed into the wind and pushed speed bar again, then took a large assymetric with subsequent strong turn. He threw his reserve and landed safely in the rotor without disabling the glider. 1)honor the P2 operating limitations as much as possible 2)consult your instructor before launching in unfamiliar or strong conditions 3)don't bench up when it is easy 4)be diligent not to drift over the top of any hill 5)don't use speed bar (especially in large amounts) when low 6)always release the speed bar (and feel sufficient brake) when a deflation is anticipated or when one manifests 7)disable the paraglider after deploying a reserve 8)always throw your reserve in strong rotor especially when low or when large diflations are manifesting in quick succession

Southern UT

An experienced and well trained P2 who was not current launched a gentle sloped launch with a long takeoff that ended with a drop off and a shelf below. The launch proceed in a text book fashion until the abrupt drop off when the glider deflated. The recovery from the deflation took place but not before the pilot encountered the lower shelf. Presumably, he hit the lower shelf and then flew back out into the air and subsequently came to rest some distance below the shelf. We all need to 1) actively work the brakes during the launch process to prevent deflations 2) be ready for the 1 in a 1000 deflation during the launch process and 3)need to choose foregiving sites when we are not current.

North Side Spin-Stall

A very avid local pilot on an EN C glider was thermalling on the North Side when he noticed a pilot flying toward him. He steepened his turn and caused an inadvertent spin. Releasing the spin, the pilot suffered an asymmetric deflation with a dive. As contact with the ground grew eminent, he stalled the glider and was deposited on his back in the famous backyard/ launch spot of a North Side home.

The pilot had hiked up from the bottom, really wanted to bench up and was a bit angry that the other pilot was forcing him to adjust his arc. Finally, these were some of his first circles of the year.

Pilots should remember that gliders rarely spin when full weight shift is exercised - that's one great way to prevent inadvertent spins - be athletic in the harness, weight shift before brake - every turn.

Pilots should also remember that brake should be pulled slowly and sparingly until the glider starts to really turn - then, more brake can be applied.

Lots of maneuvers training and practice can increase the odds that pilots will manage theses situations appropriately.

Olympus Speed Flyer

A speed flyer had an aborted launch high on Mt. Olympus in which he ended up falling down a steep face 20+ feet. His location demanded a winch rescue. He had multiple injuries that demanded hospitalization but will not need any surgery. He was flying with a very capable partner who handled the first aid and rescue skillfully.